After more than 20 years and 2000 hours I developed a mushy right brake on my RV-6. No worries, bought a rebuild kit and overhauled the Parker 10-30 master cylinder, bled the brake from the bottom up, and had a nice, tight brake.
After a couple days and a number of flights, the right brake gradually started to get mushy again. After a week or so, no brake at all. Checked the lines and fittings and couldn't find a drop of brake fluid. Pulled the right brake line and found it to be clogged. Hmmm, okay, removed and replaced the brake line, bled the brakes - nice and tight...for three days. Same problem.
At this point I'm scratching my head. I've read many previous posts on attach points, sideloads, top versus bottom bleeding, scratched push tubes, etc. yet can't figure out what's going on.
When I get in the cockpit, hold pressure on the brake pedal with my hand, and observe the reservoir line I do see small bubbles rising in the line, which seems to indicate air is entering the system somewhere, but I'd think there'd be associated signs of brake fluid at those air-entry points.
Any ideas on what to troubleshoot? Rebuild the caliper? Replace fittings? Screwed up master cylinder overhaul?
After a couple days and a number of flights, the right brake gradually started to get mushy again. After a week or so, no brake at all. Checked the lines and fittings and couldn't find a drop of brake fluid. Pulled the right brake line and found it to be clogged. Hmmm, okay, removed and replaced the brake line, bled the brakes - nice and tight...for three days. Same problem.
At this point I'm scratching my head. I've read many previous posts on attach points, sideloads, top versus bottom bleeding, scratched push tubes, etc. yet can't figure out what's going on.
When I get in the cockpit, hold pressure on the brake pedal with my hand, and observe the reservoir line I do see small bubbles rising in the line, which seems to indicate air is entering the system somewhere, but I'd think there'd be associated signs of brake fluid at those air-entry points.
Any ideas on what to troubleshoot? Rebuild the caliper? Replace fittings? Screwed up master cylinder overhaul?